WINCHESTER, Va. – The #15 Shenandoah University field hockey team dominated Roanoke on senior day, en route to a 6-1 victory. The Hornets (9-2, 2-0) got a hat trick from
Cassidy Morrison for her team-leading 14
th goal of the season. Shenandoah also picked up goals from Camryn DeLeava,
Mairead McKibbin, and
Madison Short to keep the Hornets perfect in conference play.
Taylor Swann started in goal for the Hornets and made a save while only surrendering one goal. The Hornets dominated possession and bullied their way past the Maroons as the Hornets fired 27 shots compared to the Maroons' 10. The Hornets also had the edge in penalty corners, with an 11-6 advantage.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets wasted little time as causing a turnover, and bringing the ball the other way. Shenandoah earned a penalty corner within the first minute of play. Short played the ball to the top of the circle where
Camryn DeLeva took a touch and fired a shot towards the net.
Cassidy Morrison was there to redirect the ball past the keeper for the first goal of the game. The goal was Morrison's 12
th of the season. The Hornets kept the pressure up as
Claudia Lenahan and
Elizabeth Ranberger each fired shots, with both being saved. However, the Hornets earned another penalty corner and
Farren Winter and Morrison were denied, keeping it a 1-0 game. The Maroons struggled to generate offense in the first quarter. Roanoke managed three shots and two corners, but no balls made their way to Swann.
Halfway through the second quarter, the Hornets finally got two shots off, both by Ranberger, but were turned away by the Maroons' keeper. As the quarter went on, Roanoke started to gain some momentum as they fired three consecutive shots, but all shots sailed wide and were of no threat. Looking to add to their lead, Morrison had two good looks at goal but was turned away. As the period was drawing to a near, the Hornets earned a corner. Even though the clock expired, play continued as Roanoke could not clear the penalty corner. The Hornets had a good look at goal, but
Claudia Lenahan was denied as the half finally ended.
In the second half, Shenandoah wasted no time increasing their lead. A penalty stroke was awarded, and DeLeva stepped up and fired the shot past the keeper for her second goal of the season. Two minutes later, Morrison scored her second of the game off a penalty corner and assist from
Farren Winter. Roanoke started to increase the pressure after Swann made her initial save of the game, after the ball bounced around, Roanoke took advantage of an odd-man break and finally got a ball past Swann. The Hornets got that goal back as the third quarter ended after a ball bounced around and found the stick of
Madison Short, her first of the season.
In the fourth, with Roanoke down, the Hornets added two more insurance goals. First, off of a corner, Short played the ball to DeLeva, who found
Mairead McKibbin for 5
th goal of the season. For good measure, Morrison capped off the hat trick as
Abbey Ritter stole the ball and found Morrison in stride. Morrison weaved through the defense, made the keeper miss, and slotted the ball into the back of the cage.
Taylor Bullis took over for Swann with five minutes to go in the game and did not face any shots. The Hornets did not give up any shots in the final quarter.
UP NEXT
The Hornets are back in action at home on Monday at noon, for their final non-conference game of the season when Centre College comes to town.
#GoSUHornets
